POORLY NOURISHED AND HEALTHIER

EATING HABITS IN CHILDREN

MALNOURISHMENTIN

POOR …

What is Malnutrition ? Malnutrition is:• Poor nutrition due to an insufficient,

poorly balanced diet, faulty digestion or poor utilization of foods. (This can result in the inability to absorb foods.)Malnutrition is not only insufficient intake of nutrients. It can occur when an individual is getting excessive nutrients as well.

What causes Malnutrition ?

Absence of :

• PROTEINS

• VITAMINS • MINERALS

Number one cause of Malnutrition :

POVERTY

Nearly 3 billion people in the world are living on less than $1 a day. They have little access to their basic needs, including adequate nutrition to help their bodies stay in balance. Poverty may also prevent individuals from accessing education, which can lead to misinformation about adequate nutrition.

Effects of Malnutrition Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to various diseases which can be found everywhere, but most often go without cures/treatment in Less Developed Countries (LDCs).

• MarasmusMarasmus is a disease resulting from protein deficiency which affects chidlren early in life (typically in the 1st year) slowing growth, decreasing weight and hindering proper development.

Effects of Malnutrition • Beriberi

Beriberi is a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency which is common in South East Asia where many diets consist solely of white rice.

• PellagraPellagra ”rough skin” is a niacin (or Tryptophan) deficiency which often results in the “3 Ds”; diarrhea, dementia and dermatitis.

HEALTHY EATING HABITS IN

SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN…

Physical factors On average, children gain 4 to 7 pounds and gain 1 to 4 inches per year. At approximately age 10 or 11 the rate of growth once again begins to increase, an indication that the child will soon enter puberty . As a result of this slower physical growth and development, the body needs for certain nutrients, most notably calories and protein, is not as high as during infancy. Interestingly, the body naturally compensates for this, and, as a result, it is not at all uncommon to see a young child with a decreased or inconsistent appetite.

Physical factors • On the other hand, as children

enter school and begin to participate in organized sports and other activities that result in an increase in physical activity, their appetite and food intake usually increases. Starting school and participating in other structured activities places new social, emotional, and mental demands on children. Consequently, the school-age years are characterized by intense development in social and cognitive skills. Without adequate nutrition, children will experience physical and mental fatigue, have difficulty concentrating on learning tasks, and will ultimately exhibit slower cognitive and behavioral development.

Benefits of eating well• Good health • More Energy

Benefits of eating well• Improved concentratio

n

• Lower risk of diseases

Healthy eating tips• Start the day with a healthy breakfast.• Limit high calorie snacks such as

candy , chocolates and chips.• Offer water , lower fat milk instead of

pop and sugar drinks.• Choose wisely when eating out avoid

meal deals and super sizing.

“One should eat to live not live to eat”

~BENJAMIN FRANKLIN